thousands of people could lose their jobs, especially federal employees and government contractors. the defense industry could face billions of dollars in cuts. >> i represent the third largest number of federal employees and probably the largest single number of federal contractors. so that federal nexus is really important to our economy. we immediate to end the uncertainty. >> economists say it is possible, though, this new terminology to step over if you will the cliff. that means lawmakers will reach some kind of a deal a few weeks after the new year begins. >>> retailers are bracing for more bad news as thousands of workers at u.s. ports are preparing to strike. jackie deangelis live with that story and more. jackie? >> good morning, aaron. time is running short to avoid a possible strike this weekend at more than a dozen east and gulf coast ports stretching from maine to texas. more than 14,000 long shore men could walk off the job when their contract expires tomorrow in a long-running pay dispute with shippers. the biggest sticking point is over container royalties which are